U.S. Administration Should Listen to Voice of Reason
September 20, 2000 - 0:0
The U.S. government has committed and is continuing to commit many wrong and irrational acts against the Iranian nation, so much so that even the American people and business communities are now protesting the irrational and hegemonic policies of their administration against Iran.
In 1996, the U.S. imposed sanctions on foreign companies which deal with Libya or Iran in the field of oil and natural gas and have investment contracts exceeding $40 million in one year.
The U.S. Administration also barred the American companies, particularly its oil giants, from conducting business with Iran.
However, the non-U.S. companies have mostly ignored these sanctions and continued with their business with Iran as usual. These companies have in particular signed major oil and gas contracts with Iran in the absence of their American rivals.
The U.S. sanctions against Iran have caused the American companies to lag far behind their European rivals in doing lucrative business with the Islamic Republic.
The coalition of U.S. businesses, agriculture groups and trade associations on Monday asked the administration of President Bill Clinton to lift sanctions against Iran to allow U.S. businesses access to Iran's markets, AFP reported on Tuesday.
"American companies are prevented by executive order from participating in Iran's oil program," Frank Kittredge, Vice Chairman of the U.S.A-Engage Coalition and president of the National Foreign Trade Council, complained in a statement.
This is not the first time the U.S. companies strongly protest the irrational policies of their administration, as they have been doing so for the past several years, demanding the U.S.
Administration to revise its attitude towards Iran.
The U.S. Administration is required by common sense to revise its hostile attitude towards Iran and do away with its irrational and hegemonic policies. If it does so, ground will be prepared for the resumption of ties, and the people as well as businesses of the two countries may enjoy sound and friendly relations based on mutual respect and interest.
In 1996, the U.S. imposed sanctions on foreign companies which deal with Libya or Iran in the field of oil and natural gas and have investment contracts exceeding $40 million in one year.
The U.S. Administration also barred the American companies, particularly its oil giants, from conducting business with Iran.
However, the non-U.S. companies have mostly ignored these sanctions and continued with their business with Iran as usual. These companies have in particular signed major oil and gas contracts with Iran in the absence of their American rivals.
The U.S. sanctions against Iran have caused the American companies to lag far behind their European rivals in doing lucrative business with the Islamic Republic.
The coalition of U.S. businesses, agriculture groups and trade associations on Monday asked the administration of President Bill Clinton to lift sanctions against Iran to allow U.S. businesses access to Iran's markets, AFP reported on Tuesday.
"American companies are prevented by executive order from participating in Iran's oil program," Frank Kittredge, Vice Chairman of the U.S.A-Engage Coalition and president of the National Foreign Trade Council, complained in a statement.
This is not the first time the U.S. companies strongly protest the irrational policies of their administration, as they have been doing so for the past several years, demanding the U.S.
Administration to revise its attitude towards Iran.
The U.S. Administration is required by common sense to revise its hostile attitude towards Iran and do away with its irrational and hegemonic policies. If it does so, ground will be prepared for the resumption of ties, and the people as well as businesses of the two countries may enjoy sound and friendly relations based on mutual respect and interest.